Pannerselvam elected as Legislature Party leader, to take over as CM

Chennai:
O Panneerselvam was elected as the AIADMK Legislature Party Leader shortly after the death of Jayalalithaa was announced by Apollo Hospitals on Monday night.

The legislature party met with presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan in the chair. Senior leaders, party functionaries, and MLAs met after the death of Jayalalithaa was announced at 11.30 p.m. on Monday night.

The resolution to elect Panneerselvam was adopted unanimously.

Finance minister Panneerselvam is number two in the cabinet. Jayalalithaa's portfolios were already handed over to him after she was hospitalised.

Panneerselvam was already chief minister of the State after Jayalalithaa had to step down following court orders in the TANSI land deal case and the Disproportionate Assets case.

He was considered a symbol of loyalty in the party, readily stepping down whenever required, and willing to take on any responsibility given to him by Jayalalithaa.